Cervical collar device

ABSTRACT

A cervical collar assembly to immobilize the neck and head of a user. The assembly includes an adjustable and conformable shell member having a pad member secured on its interior to engage the skin of the user. The shell member is comprised of a front member, a back member and means to adjustably join the front and back members. A chin support member is adjustably secured to the front member and an occipital support member is secured to the back member. The front and back members are provided with a plurality of elongated slits which permit the shell member to conform to the neck and head areas of the user. Further, the front member is provided with opposing upwardly extending tab members to engage the mandibula of a user&#39;s jaw to aid in the immobilization of the neck and head of the user. Cervical collar device size identifiers are further provided.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Applicants' applicationU.S. Ser. No. 09/696,214, filed Oct. 25, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No.6,494,854 and titled Cervical Collar Device, and which is incorporatedby reference herein. The application further claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/328,749, filed on Oct. 11, 2001and entitled Cervical Collar Device Size Identifier and which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a cervical collar device topartially immobilize the head and neck of a patient while allowingcomfortable extended wear. Particularly, this invention relates to animproved cervical collar assembly which allows comfortable extended wearwhile partially immobilizing the head and neck of a patient and whichhas a collar device size identifier.

This invention relates more particularly to color coded cervical collaror orthotic devices to identify the size of the devices for pediatricpatients. The color coded size identifying cervical collar devices ofthe invention are particularly suited to provide proper collar devicesize selection for the providers and to increase usage compliance forpediatric patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cervical collar device or assembly is constructed and arranged tolimit movement of the neck and head to treat neck pain and/orinstability due to injury. The cervical collar device supports parts ofthe head and holds the head and neck in a fixed position by limitingflexion, extension, rotation and lateral movement of the head.

The cervical collar is formed of a stiff, semi-rigid plastic materialcomprising a front and back portion to form a shell collar structure.The front and back portions are joined and secured by hook and loopfasteners. The front portion provides an adjustable chin support thatallows the flexion angle to be adjusted to fit a variety of patients orto meet a physician's requirements. The front portion has side mandiblecontrols included on the main body of the front portion to reducelateral movement of the patient's head.

Prior art cervical collar devices have relied primarily on chin supportstructures to control lateral movement of the head. However, themandible controls of the present invention aid in reducing the feelingof the chin being constricted or giving the user a trapped feeling whenwearing the cervical collar device of the invention. The back portion ofthe shell structure is of a two piece construction which provides anoccipital support, which supports and contours to the patient's head andneck, and which is attached to the main body of the back portion. Theoccipital support is constructed of a rigid plastic material and has apredetermined shape which mimics a human hand holding the back of thehead using the thumb and forefinger. For example, the occipital supportmay have a “T” or triangular shape. The upper portion of the back piece“cradles” the occipital region, restricting movement in all threeplanes. The occipital support is designed to equally distribute theweight of the head thereon. The shell structure of the collar devicealso has the slot patterns in both the front and back portions. Theseslots provide a device which allows greater conformity to the patient'shead and neck. These slots also reduce weight and provide aircirculation through the device to produce a more breathable collar forextended wear.

The cervical collar device has a structural configuration to disperseand cushion the weight of the device and the resultant head and neckforces of the patient on the device. It has been found that aconcentrated pressure over time to the patient's body can result in skinbreakdown, i.e., ulcerated skin. Thus, the bottoms of the front and backportions of the shell structure have a generally flat and roundedconfiguration to spread the weight across the sternum or chest areas.Further, edges of specified areas of the front and back portions may beprovided with soft gasket members to further cushion the device againstthe patient's body. The structural configuration of the cervical collardevice has a structure to provide a stable device which minimizespressure points and which is provided with cushioned gasket members.

The collar device is anatomically designed in multiple sizes toaccommodate the physiology of various neck and head configurations andsizes. An object of the present invention is to provide a cervicalcollar assembly that provides conforming support to the head and neckwhile also providing patient comfort over extended periods of time.

In summary, the present invention provides an adjustable structurehaving a “hook and catch” chin support system, an occipital supportsystem that contours to the natural shape of the patient's head, slotsand slot patterns allowing for a more adjustable and breathable collar,and mandible control tabs to restrict lateral and rotational movement ofa patient's head.

The cervical collar devices of the present invention as well as othercervical collar designs are typically comprised of front and backportions constructed of stiff plastic material. The front and backportion are joined and secured by hook and loop fasteners, for example.The plastic portions of the cervical collar are preferably covered witha foam material for added comfort against the skin of the patient.Although different cervical collar sizes are provided, they may looksimilar to the provider and, therefore, may be difficult todifferentiate as to size.

As far as is known, cervical collar designs have not been proposed orsold in the marketplace which are directed to pediatric patients andwhich identify collar device size and which increase patient compliancethrough the use of a color and/or use of other artistic materials.Additionally, the different color and artistic materials provided bythis invention increases the visibility and appeal of the product andease the identification of sizes for the medical staff or otherproviders. The medical staff can easily use the color of the device, forexample, to quickly and accurately identify the size needed for thepatient, rather than being required to look at the labels of eachproduct to determine the proper size. This collar device identificationmethod will save a considerable amount of time particularly in emergencyor trauma departments.

For example, if the label on or accompanying the collar device or itsoriginal packaging, i.e., plastic bag of the product, is missing ormisplaced, the color can be useful in identifying the correct size ofthe collar device, thus saving considerable time and thereby avoidingreplacement costs. The color coded collar devices can also help to avoidcostly mistakes by possibly selecting the wrong size based on labels orpackaging bags that could be inadvertently mixed up.

Colored cervical collar devices can also serve as “masking” the actualdevice and allow the medical staff to present the device to thepediatric patient as a colorful or artistic object. For example, themedical staff can present the device to a young pediatric patient as acolored necklace, thus increasing wear compliance by the patient.Children are typically fond of bright colored and artistic objects andmay identify very positively to these specific colors and similar decor.

Further, adhesive stickers displaying figurines or other art-relatedobjects and designs may be applied to portions of the collar devices ofthe invention to increase compliance and to facilitate wear of thedevices by pediatric patients. Additionally, the plastic portions of thecervical collar device may have figurines, cartoon characters, sport'steam logos and/or other art images embedded into the structure. Forexample, Disney Co. characters, college or professional sport's teamsmay be molded into the plastic shell structures or applied as stickersto parts of the cervical collar devices to make children morecomfortable in wearing the cervical collar devices.

In summary, the invention provides a time saving identification tool,such as color coding, in emergency or trauma departments, enabling themedical staff to quickly identify the correct size product for thepatient. This color coding system additionally transforms the medicaldevice into a child friendly neck wear which provides increased patientcompliance.

These and other benefits of this invention will become clear from thefollowing description by reference to the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cervical collar assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the cervical collar assembly andshowing the front and back portions, the chin support, fasteners and thepad members of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the back portion of the cervical collarassembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the back portion of the cervical collarassembly;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the layered padding for the interior of thecervical collar assembly;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front portion of the cervical collarassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the chin support member attaching to the frontportion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the back portion of the cervical collarassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the T-shaped rear occipital support member thatattaches to the back portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a chart showing the sizes and corresponding colors of thecolor coded cervical collars of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cervicalcollar assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the back portion of the cervical collarassembly of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the triangular occipital support memberattached to the back portion of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates generally to cervical collar devices andparticularly to color coded cervical collar devices to identify thedevice size for pediatric patients. The color coded cervical collars ofthe present invention are incorporated into or applied to the plasticcomponent portions of the cervical collar or to the padding material orto combinations thereof to thereby identify various pediatric sizes,from the smallest infant size to the larger teenager size, for example.Each size is identified by a different color; for example, red for thesmallest size, green, light blue, yellow, and dark blue for the largestsize.

A typical cervical collar structure comprises front and back partsconstructed of stiff plastic material. The front and back portions arejoined and secured by hook and loop fasteners. The inside of the plasticportions of the cervical collar are preferably covered with a paddedfoam material for added comfort against the skin of the patient.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the cervical collar assembly 10 is shown andwhich is provided to partially immobilize the head and neck of a patientwhile allowing comfortable extended wear for the patient or user. Thecervical collar device 10 is constructed and arranged to limit movementof the neck and head to treat neck pain and/or instability due toinjury. The cervical collar device 10 supports parts of the head andholds the head and neck in a fixed position by limiting flexion,extension, rotation and lateral movement of a user's head.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a cervical collarassembly 10 that provides superior support to the head and neck whilealso providing patient comfort over extended periods of time. Thecervical collar device 10 is anatomically designed in multiple sizes,i.e., infant, small, medium and large to accommodate the physiology ofvarious neck and head configurations and sizes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cervical collar assembly 10 is showncomprising a front portion 11 and back portion 12 which form a shellmember. The front and back portions 11 and 12 are joined and secured byhook and loop fastener members 13 and 14. The front and back portions 11and 12 are preferably formed of stiff, semi-rigid plastic structure thatmay be flexed, as will be further described. The front portion 11further may have an adjustable chin support 23 that allows the flexionangle to be adjusted to fit a variety of patients or to meet aphysician's requirements. The front portion 11 is shown to have sidemandible control tabs 16 and 17 extending from the main body of thefront portion 11. The mandible control tabs 16 and 17 are provided toreduce lateral movement of a patient's head. The front member 11 is alsoshown to have an enlarged opening 15 for the trachea.

The front and back portions 11 and 12 are preferably formed of a stiff,flexible, molded plastic material which is MRI and biocompatible. Thefastener members 13 and 14 and other elements of the collar assembly,are preferably constructed of a plastic or other material which iscompatible with MRI and other diagnostic and testing procedures. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3, one portion of the fastener members 13 and14 is secured to the back portion 12 by means of a rivet 29, which ispreferably made of nylon or like material. As shown in FIG. 8, rivets 29extend through apertures 123 and 124 provided in the back portion 12.The front and back portions 11 and 12 are contoured and have preformedelongated slot patterns 21 and 22 respectively, to provide apredetermined flexing structure for forming the shell of the device 10to the neck and head of a patient.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front portion 11 and back portion12 are color coded as designated by numerals 130 and 131 respectively.The plastic material comprising these elements may be pigmented, have acolored surface or may be partially colored. The hook and loop fastenermember 13 may also be colored as designated by numeral 132. Similarly,the front pad member 19 and back pad member 20 are also shown beingcolor coded as designated by numerals 133 and 134, respectively. The padmembers may be colored throughout or have a surface color whichpreferably matches the color of the other parts of the cervical collar.Alternatively, the pad members may have a different color and wherebythe exterior of the cervical collar structure is utilized for colorcoding purposes to designate product size. The adjustable chin support23 is also shown to have a color 135. This exterior part as other parts,i.e., the rear support member 24 are also color coded to preferablymatch the color of the exterior of the cervical collar device 10.

As further shown in FIG. 2, adhesive stickers 137 displaying figurinesor other art-related objects and designs may be applied to portions ofthe collar devices 10 of the invention to increase compliance and tofacilitate wear of the devices by pediatric patients. Additionally, theplastic portions, i.e., the plastic front portion 11, of the cervicalcollar device 10 may have images 136 such as figurines, cartooncharacters, sport's team logos and/or other art images embedded into thestructure. For example, Disney Co. characters, logos of college and/orprofessional sport's teams may be molded into the plastic shellstructures or applied as stickers to parts of the cervical collardevices to make children more comfortable in wearing the cervical collardevices.

Unlike prior art cervical collar devices which rely primarily on chinsupport to control lateral movement, the mandible controls 16 and 17also eliminate the feeling of the chin being constricted or trapped. Asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the cervical collar assembly 10 has a backportion 12 which as shown is of a two piece construction and is providedwith an occipital support 24, which supports and contours to thepatient's head and neck. The occipital support 24 is shown attached to amain body of the back portion 12. The occipital support 24 is also madeof a semi-rigid plastic material, which is MRI and biocompatible. Theoccipital support 24 resembles the shape of a “T” and mimics a humanhand holding the back of the head using the thumb and forefinger. Theupper portion of the back piece 24 “cradles” the occipital region,restricting movement in all three planes. The occipital support 24 mayhave a color 138. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the cervical collar device 10also has pre-cut slots and slot patterns in the front and back portions11 and 12 by permitting the provider to trim the shell structure alongthe slots. The slots provide a lightweight and malleable structure toprovide greater conformity to the anatomy of a patient. These slots alsoprovide better air circulation through the device to produce abreathable collar structure for extended wear.

As shown in FIG. 6, the front portion 11 is shown to have upwardlyextending wings or tabs 16 and 17 which are mandible control members tocontrol the tilt or lateral movement of the patient's head by engagingthe opposing lower jaw areas. As further shown, the front portion 11 isshown comprised of a body member 28 having upwardly extending wings ormandible control members 16 and 17, one on either side of centralopening 18. End tabs 48 and 49 are shown on opposite sides of the body28 and an opening 15 is shown centrally disposed in the body member 28.The opening 15 is provided for the trachea of a user. A pattern of aplurality of elongated slits 21 are shown extending through body member28.

As shown in FIG. 6, the body member 28 of front portion 11 is shown in aflat, non-conforming state. The body member 28 is shown to have aplurality of elongated slots which are provided to permit the bodymember 28 to be bent and conformed to the front of the user's neck andhead. Specifically, curved top slots 81 and 82 are shown in the mandiblecontrol wings 16 and 17 and curved bottom slots 77 and 78 are shown atthe bottom sides of the body member 28. Centrally positioned at thebottom of the body member are slots 79 and 80 and spaced from thetrachea opening 15 are slanted side slots 75 and 76. The cooperation ofthese slot patterns permit the front portion 11 of the shell to beformed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the slots permit thetransfer of air with the front foam pad member 19. Also shown in FIG. 6are aperture 38 and apertures 39 and 40 which are provided for fasteningthe chin support member 23 to the inside of the front portion 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and particularly in FIG. 5, the cervicalcollar device 10 is shown to have a padding assembly comprising frontand back laminated foam pad members 19 and 20. The foam pad members havea laminated structure comprising a fabric layer 25, a foam layer 26 anda skin contact fabric layer 27. The foam layer 26 is preferably of anopen cell foam construction, such as 4 lb. polyurethane ester foam orthe like. The open cell foam layer 26 permits moisture to be carriedfrom the skin contact layer 27 to the outside of the shell. The foam padmembers 19 and 20 are preferably removable from the front and backportions 11 and 12. The skin contact layer 27 is constructed of amoisture wicking material, which is preferably washable. Pad member 19is shown attached to the front portion 11 and pad member 20 is shownattached to the back portion 12. As shown, the pad members 19 and 20extend beyond the upper and lower peripheries of the front and backportions 11 and 12. The laminated pad members 19 and 20 each have a sideor surface that attaches to the inside of the front and back portions 11and 12 via a hook and catch fastening system, such as Velcro, forexample. Thus, a fabric layer 25, such as a washable cotton loop fabric,is provided for connection to the hook portion of the fastening systemused in connection with the shell structure. For example, fasteningmembers 83 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 which permit the front and backfoam pad members 19 and 20 to be secured to the front and back portionsof the shell of embodiment 30. Embodiment 10 is similarly constructed.Further, a plurality of hook fastening pieces, i.e., five on each of theinteriors of the front and back portions 11 and 12, may be provided onthe interior of the shell.

The skin contact layer 27 of the laminated padding 19 is preferably of abreathable fabric construction which wicks away moisture, i.e.,Cool-Max™ fabric provided by DuPont. The laminated padding memberspreferably have a uniform thickness, i.e. ⅜-½ inches in thickness. Thefabric layer 25 may be laminated onto one side of the foam layer 26 andthe skin contact layer 27 may be adhesively fixed on the opposite sideof the foam layer. Other lamination means known in the art may also beutilized, however. As shown, the foam pad members 19 and 20 extend aboveand below the shell structure.

The front and back portions 11 and 12, the chin support member 23 andthe rear support member 24 are preferably constructed of a semi-rigidformed plastic material, i.e. polyethylene (LDPE or HDPE) or the like.The formed plastic front and back portions 11 and 12 may have athickness of approximately {fraction (1/16)}-{fraction (3/32)} inchesand has a plurality of slots formed in the front portion 11 and aplurality of slots in the back portion 12. The respective slots providea lighter weight device, which provides a conforming fit to the user andwhich provides air circulation to the body of the wearer. The chinsupport member 23 may have a thickness of approximately 0.040 inches andthe rear support member 24 may have a thickness of approximately{fraction (3/32)} inches.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in FIG. 7, the C-shaped chin supportmember 23 adjustably connects at its ends 51 and 53 to the interior ofthe front portion 11 although the support 23 may be permanently secured.For example, a plurality of rivets, i.e., nylon fluted snap rivets, maybe positioned on the interior surface of the front portion 11 toadjustably receive the notched fastening ends of the chin support member23. Specifically, slots 52 and 54 are provided so that the chin supportmember 23 may be attached to the inside of the body member 28 of thefront portion 11. This adjustment permits the chin support to be securedat a desired angle. A central tab 55 with aperture 56 is shown centrallypositioned for connection to the front portion 11.

As shown in FIG. 9 the T-shaped rear support member or occipital supportmember 24 is shown connected to the back portion 12 to support theoccipital area or the lower back part of the head where it merges withthe neck.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear portion 12 and the occipital supportmember 24 are there shown. The support member 24 may have a color, asdesignated by 138. The rear portion 12 is further shown in FIGS. 3 and4. The rear portion 12 is comprised of a body member 57 having end tabs58 and 59 and upper tabs 60 and 61. A central, generally V-shapedopening is shown between the upper tabs 60 and 61. A plurality ofelongated openings or slits 22 are shown extending through the bodymember 57 and which are provided to permit the body member 57 to beformed about the neck of a user. The body member 57 of back portion 12is shown in a flat, non-conforming state. The body member 57 is shown tohave a plurality of elongated slots which are provided to permit thebody member 57 to be bent in a conforming state to the rear of theuser's neck and head. Specifically, angled side slots 84 and 85 areshown spaced from the V-shaped central opening. Further, end slots 88and 89 and end slots 86 and 87 are shown positioned adjacent end tabs 59and 58, respectively. Centrally positioned at the bottom are curvedslots 96, 97 and 98. Curved slots 93, 94, 95 and 90, 91 and 92 are shownspaced from the bottom slot pattern. The individual slots of the slotpatterns are shown to be spacially parallel and arranged whereby thecooperation of the slots and slot patterns permit the back portion 12 ofthe shell to be formed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As previouslydiscussed with respect to the front portion 11, the slots in the backportion 12 likewise permit the transfer of air with the back foam padmember 20. Further, FIG. 8 shows aperture 120 and apertures 121 and 122which are provided for fastening the rear support member 24 to theinside of the back portion 12.

FIG. 9 shows the occipital support member 24 which is positioned withinthe V-shaped opening of the body member 57. The member 24 is shown tohave a body 62 having end tabs 63 and 64 and a bottom tab 65. Apertures46 and 47 are shown in the end tabs 63 and 64 and aperture 45 in thebottom tab 65. The apertures are used with fastening means to secure theoccipital support member 24 to the inside of the back portion 12. Therespective apertures are aligned and adapted to receive a fasteningmember, such as a rivet or similar fastener, however, other fastenermeans are within the purview of this invention.

The size of the collar device is determined by the inside dimensions ofthe device, i.e., the circumferential distance as well as the height ofthe various elements of the device. As shown and discussed herein, eachcollar device has an inherent degree of adjustability, i.e., by means ofthe hook and catch fastener straps and the trimming or cutting of theshell members with respect to the slot patterns, however, thisadjustability is limited and thus requires the use of various collardevice sizes.

As shown in FIG. 10, specific colors may be utilized to designatespecific pediatric collar sizes. For example, the color red is a sizesmall, the color light blue a medium size and the color dark blue alarge size. The colors green and yellow are intermediate SM and MLsizes, respectively. Other colors and designated sizes may also bechosen within the purview of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the cervical collar assembly of theinvention. The assembly 30 is shown to have a shell member comprised ofa front portion 31, a back portion 32 and a fastening structure toadjustably secure the front and back portions 31 and 32. The front andback portions 31 and 32 may have a size identifying color, as designatedby 140 and 139, respectively. Hook and catch fastener 33 and 34 areshown, and which may have a color 141. The latter fasteners extend onthe outside and between the front and back portions 31 and 32 to providean adjustable shell member. The front portion 31 is shown to have atrachea opening 35 and upwardly extending mandible control wing members36 and 37. Chin support member 43 is shown positioned at the top andfront of the front portion 31. The chin support member 31 may be securedor adjustably secured to the inside of the front portion 31. Further,elongated slots in a pattern 41 is shown.

As further shown in FIG. 11, the cervical collar device 30 has astructural configuration to disperse and cushion the weight of thedevice 30 as well as the resultant head and neck forces of the patienton the device 30. It has been found that a concentrated pressure overtime to the patient's body can result in skin breakdown, i.e., ulceratedskin. The weight on a chin support by the chin and neck may result inthose detrimental concentrated forces as may the head force on theoccipital contact area. Thus, the chin support 43 and the occipitalsupport 44 are designed to spread those forces to provide stability andto minimize pressure points. Further, the bottom 100 of the frontportion 31 has a generally flat and rounded edge configuration to spreadthe weight across the sternum or chest areas of the wearer. Further, thefront portion 31 is shown to have a gasket member 100 to further cushionthe device 30 against the patient's body. The rounded and flat contoursare also provided on the back portion 32 of the device 30 and is alsoshown with respect to the front and back portions 11 and 12 of device10. The gasket member 99 is preferably constructed of rubber or a foamwhich is wrapped and glued, for example, around the device elementswhich contact the patient's body areas. For example, the mandiblecontrol members 36 and 37 and the upper part of the chin support 43 maybe similarly cushioned. The corresponding elements of the cervicalcollar device 10 may also be provided with such gasket members 99.

As further shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the back portion 32 and theoccipital support member 44 are different from those shown with respectto the assembly 10. Specifically, the support member 44 is shown to havea triangular shaped body 72 having an interior opening designed toprevent any scar tissue from being touched when the assembly 30 is wornby a user.

The back portion 32 is shown to have a body member 67 having upper tabmembers 70 and 71, respectively. Centrally positioned is a V-shapedopening extending downward from the upper tabs and wherein thetriangular support 44 is fastened to the interior side of the body 67.Elongated slot pattern 42 is shown in back portion 32 as will be furtherdescribed. End tabs 68 and 69 are shown extending outward and havingslots 105, 106, 107 and 108, 109, 110 respectively. A centrallypositioned aperture 125 is shown as well as angled slots 101 and 102. Atthe bottom and bottom sides of the body 67 are centrally positionedslots 117, 118, 119 and aligned slots 111, 112, 113 and 114, 115, 116are shown positioned upwardly therefrom. Elongated slots 103 and 104 areshown positioned below upper tabs 70 and 71. The purpose of the slotsand slot patterns and the apertures are generally the same as thosedescribed with respect to the assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the triangular occipital support member 44has an aperture 66 which aligns with aperture 125 of the back portion 32for fastening purposes, i.e., by means of a rivet. Apertures 73 and 74align with apertures 126 and 127 of the back portion 32 and may besimilarly fastened. Apertures 128 and 129 of the back portion 32 areprovided for connection of the fastening structures 33 and 34, which areprovided to adjustably connect the back portion 32 to the front portion31 of the shell structure.

In use, the front portion 11 of the cervical collar device 10 is held inplace while back portion 12 is applied to the back of a patient's headsuch that the occipital support 18 is resting under the occipital regionof the patient's head. The sides of the back portion 12 are placed overthe sides of the front portion 11 and the hook fastener straps 13, 14are then applied to the loop fastener material on the front portion 11.

As many changes are possible to the embodiments of this invention,utilizing the teachings thereof, the description above and theaccompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative and notthe limited sense.

1. A cervical collar assembly to immobilize the neck and head of a user,comprising: a) an adjustable and conformable shell member having a frontmember having a center opening and opposing tab members extendingupwardly therefrom, a back member having a center opening, said shellmember having means to adjustably join said front and back members, saidfront member and said back member having a rounded configuration on thetop thereof and wherein said front and back members have gasket memberson edges thereof; b) a chin support member positioned in said centeropening of said front member, said chin support member having means tosecure said chin support member to said front member; c) an occipitalsupport member positioned in said center opening of said back member,said occipital support member having means to secure said occipitalmember to said back member; d) a pad member secured within saidconformable shell member, said shell member having means to secure saidpad member to said front member and said back member; and e) a cervicalcollar size identifier.
 2. The cervical collar assembly of claim 1,wherein said cervical size identifier is comprised of a plurality ofcolors to designate the sizes of S, SM, M, ML and L.
 3. The cervicalcollar assembly of claim 2, wherein a color is applied to a component ofsaid cervical collar assembly and wherein said component is selectedfrom front and back members of said shell member, said pad member, saidchin support member, said occipital support member and combinationsthereof.
 4. The cervical collar assembly of claim 1, wherein said asymbol scheme is applied to said cervical collar device.
 5. The cervicalcollar assembly of claim 4, wherein said symbol of said symbol scheme isselected from a sticker, an imprint and a logo.
 6. The cervical collarassembly of claim 1, wherein said front member and said back member eachhave a plurality of elongated slits extending therethrough forconforming said shell about the neck and head of a user.
 7. The cervicalcollar assembly of claim 1, wherein said cervical collar is constructedof MRI and biocompatible materials, wherein said pad member includes anopen cell foam material and wherein said fastening means is comprised ofa hook and loop fastening structure.
 8. The cervical collar assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said chin support member includes adjustable securementmeans for attaching said chin support member to said front member,wherein said occipital support member is a T-shaped member or atriangular member and wherein said pad member extends outward from aboveand below said front member and said back member of said shell member.9. The cervical collar assembly of claim 6, wherein said front memberhas a predetermined pattern of slits therethrough and wherein said backmember has a predetermined pattern of slits therethrough, saidpredetermined pattern of slits including a plurality of slits onopposing sides of said front member and said back member.
 10. A cervicalcollar assembly to partially immobilize a user's head and neckcomprising: a) a semi-rigid front portion having opposing side mandiblecontrol tabs for restricting lateral and rotational head and neckmovement of a user and having a bottom edge contoured for resting uponthe sternum and trapezius of the user; b) a semi-rigid, adjustable chinsupport member having attachment means at each end for the adjustableattachment to said front portion; c) a semi-rigid back portion beingcontoured to conform and to support the neck and the sides of the backof the head of a user, said back portion further having a top edgehaving an occipital opening; d) a semi-rigid occipital support memberfor restricting head and neck movement and being contoured to conformand to support the neck, occipit, and sides of the back of the head,said occipital support member being positioned in said occipital openingof said back portion and attached to said back portion; and e) acervical collar assembly size identifier.
 11. The cervical collarassembly of claim 10, wherein said cervical collar size identifiercomprises a color scheme where a specified color corresponds to aspecified size.
 12. The cervical collar assembly of claim 11, whereinsaid color scheme is comprised of a plurality of colors selected fromthe group of colors consisting of red, green, light blue, yellow anddark blue.
 13. The cervical collar assembly of claim 10, wherein asymbol is applied to said cervical collar assembly and wherein saidsymbol is selected from a sticker, an imprint, and a logo.
 14. Thecervical collar assembly of claim 10, wherein said cervical collarassembly includes a laminated, open cell foam pad member and whereinsaid pad member is breathable, moisture wicking, and washable.
 15. Thecervical collar assembly of claim 14, wherein said pad member has atleast one hook and catch fastener for attachment to said cervical collarand wherein said occipital support member has a configuration selectedfrom the group of configurations consisting of a triangular-shapedconfiguration and a generally T-shaped configuration.
 16. The cervicalcollar assembly of claim 10, wherein said front and back portions of thecervical collar assembly have a plurality of slits therein for flexionconformance and air circulation.
 17. The cervical collar assembly ofclaim 10, wherein said front portion has an aperture therethrough forexposing the user's trachea.
 18. The cervical collar assembly of claim10, wherein the front and back portions are joined for adjustment toeach other using at least one hook and catch fastener.
 19. The cervicalcollar assembly of claim 10, wherein said front portion, back portion,chin support, and said occipital support are constructed of a rigidthermoformed plastic material.
 20. A cervical collar assembly topartially immobilize a user's head and neck, said assembly comprising:a) an adjustable shell collar structure further comprising a semi-rigidfront portion having opposing side mandible control tabs for restrictinglateral and rotational head movement of a user and a semi-rigid backportion being contoured to conform to and to support the neck and thesides of the back of the head of the user, said back portion having atop edge having an occipital opening; b) a padding structure attached tosaid adjustable shell collar structure; c) a semi-rigid, chin supportmember having attachment means at each end for the attachment to saidfront portion; d) a semi-rigid occipital support member for restrictinghead and neck movement and being contoured to conform to and to supportthe neck, occiput, and sides of the back of the head, said occipitalsupport member being positioned in said occipital opening of said backportion and attached to said back portion; and e) a cervical collarassembly size identifier.
 21. The cervical collar assembly of claim 20,wherein said occipital support member has a configuration selected fromthe group of configurations consisting of a generally T-shapedconfiguration and a triangular-shaped configuration, for reducingpressure on any scar tissue present on the back of the neck of the user.22. A cervical collar assembly of claim 20, wherein said paddingstructure is constructed of laminated, open cell foam layer and abreathable, moisture wicking, and washable layer.
 23. The cervicalcollar assembly of claim 20, wherein said front portion, back portion,and chin support member are constructed of a rigid, biocompatibleplastic material and wherein said front portion and said back portioneach have a plurality of elongated and aligned slots for forming theassembly to the neck and head of a patient, said front and bottomportions each having a bottom edge and said elongated slots beingaligned in an arrangement along and adjacent and generally parallel tosaid bottom edges of said front and back portions of said shell collarstructure.
 24. The cervical collar assembly of claim 23, wherein saidplurality of elongated and aligned slots include at least one elongatedslot disposed at the center along said bottom edges of said front andback portion of shell collar structure.
 25. The cervical collar assemblyof claim 23, wherein said plurality of elongated and aligned slotsinclude at least one arrangement of two parallel slots spaced from saidbottom edges of said front and back portions of said shell collarstructure.